Issue 44 of Custom Utes magazine is about to go one sale and includes our feature photo shoot on Grant Eberhart’s incredible, rich metallic purple 1955 FJ ute. Grant owns and operates X-Trim Trimming in Sydney and as such, the cabin in this old Holden is the focal point of the build. However, the FJ is much more than just a classy red leather interior on wheels. From the neatly converted V6 to the 18in Weld alloy rims; it’s a truly classic Holden. You can read all about the car when the magazine goes on sale shortly.

As always, you can download FREE desktop wallpaper versions of the six images we’ve uploaded to our Flickr page and the strobist fans can check out our lighting setup info as well as our EXIF data. While the exterior shots really only used one flash to fill in a little colour, the detail shots will provide more info. CLICK HERE to visit our Flickr page and download the wallpapers or click on the thumbnails below.

Featured in the same issue of Custom Utes magazine as our very first cover car, Ditch Jones’ yellow HR Holden, you’ll also find a feature shoot and story by Hosking Industries on Wayne Anthony’s wicked blue Ford BA Falcon ute, known as BAD 8. Powered by a 5.4L BOSS injected V8 and carrying a mother lode of audio and visual gear, Wayne’s ute was always destined for a a spot in a magazine.

We shot the Ford in the parking lot of Wayne’s local Autobarn store where he’s handed more than his fair share of cash and a big thank you goes out to those guys for blocking off access to their car park for a few hours. You can read all about the ute and Wayne’s love of Fords in issue 42 of Custom Utes.

For now, enjoy some FREE desktop wallpaper images of our selection of six shots by CLICKING HERE or on the thumbnails below (don’t worry, it’s just a link to our Flickr page – nothing sinister!). Enjoy!

A selection of images shot during a shoot for Custom Utes magazine (issue 40) on Chad Darke’s immaculate EH Holden ute. It runs a 336ci offset-ground stroker Holden V8 and features a sumptuous black leather interior that smells as good as it looks. You can download FREE 1280res desktop wallpapers of Chad’s EH on our Flickr page by CLICKING HERE.

A small selection of images from a shoot completed in 2010 on Simon Grima’s incredible phantom FE Holden ute. Originally a sedan (hence the ‘Phantom’), Simon put in a lot of man hours shaping and changing the metalwork to take the form of a utility – without any trade qualifications, just learning as he went along.

It’s powered by an injected Holden 5L and runs almost entirely Commodore running gear, with plenty of other Holden bits and piece throughout the build sourced from his large stockpile of parts collected over the years. The full shoot is coming out in issue 39 of Custom Utes magazine, published by Express Media Group. Both words and images by Hosking Industries.

Strobist: All images (except the driving shot) use two 430EXII Speedlites and a 580EXII. All mounted on their little ground-level stands, bare and on full power; triggered with Cactus V4s. Two light the side of the car and the 580EXII lights the nose or tail (whichever is in shot). Not a lot of post processing beyond saturation etc.

You can click on the thumbnails to view them in 1280×1024 resolution and feel free to use them as your desktop wallpaper! CLICK HERE to view the gallery on Flickr.